Gaming machine displaying special symbol having randomly selected functions

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a game played on a gaming device that displays a randomly selected array of symbols, where the symbols across one or more pay lines are evaluated by circuitry to determine an award to be granted. One of the possible symbols is a special symbol that offers various special functions. The special symbol switches between two or more states, where each state provides a different function. The switching is stopped randomly or by the player, and the resulting function is carried out. In another embodiment, the special symbol allows symbols to be moved in the array or provides other functions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to gaming devices, such as slot machines,and, in particular, to an additional feature performed in a game thatgrants awards to a player based upon symbol combinations.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Common slot machines randomly select and display an array ofsymbols on a video screen, then grant an award to a player based on theoccurrence of certain symbol combinations across pay lines. Typically,the game ends after the symbols are displayed and the award, if any, isgranted. Although these types of games are highly successful, it isadvantageous to provide an additional feature to this basic game to makethe game more interesting to a player. A more interesting game willgenerate increased revenue to the casino by its increased play.

SUMMARY

[0003] Disclosed herein is a game played on a gaming device thatdisplays a randomly selected array of symbols, such as a video slotmachine or a video monitor connected to a computer for on-line gaming.The symbols across one or more pay lines are evaluated by circuitry todetermine an award to be granted. The present invention adds anadditional feature to this conventional operation of a gaming machine.One embodiment of the present invention adds one or more special symbolsthat may be randomly selected by a pseudo-number generator. If thisspecial symbol is selected and displayed, additional features in thegame become available.

[0004] In one embodiment, once the array of symbols (including a specialsymbol) has been finally displayed, the special symbol may flash orswitch between two colors or otherwise switch between any two states. Inone embodiment, one of the states is associated with a positive result,and the other of the states provides no benefit to the player. Thespecial symbol stops flashing or changing states based upon apseudo-random number generator selecting one of the two states. If thefinal state is a positive result, the special symbol provides anadditional feature such as:

[0005] 1. The special symbol may turn into any symbol that will offerthe highest award to the player;

[0006] 2. The special symbol may become a wild card;

[0007] 3. The special symbol may become a multiplier for any winningsymbol combination in the pay line or in a different pay line;

[0008] 4. The special symbol may trigger an additional feature, such asa bonus screen;

[0009] 5. The special symbol may become a scatter symbol (i.e., providean automatic grant of an award);

[0010] 6. The special symbol may randomly move to one or more otherpositions in the array to effectively give the player additional chancesto create a winning symbol combination, or the player may select theposition of the special symbol;

[0011] 7. The special symbol may cause other symbols on the same payline or on a different pay line to change to give the player anotherchance of obtaining a winning symbol combination.

[0012] The above are just some examples of the possible features offeredby the special symbol, and other features are envisioned.

[0013] In an alternate embodiment, the special symbol switches betweenmore than two states, where one of the states is ultimately selected.For example, the special symbol may quickly change between a wild card,a multiplier, a scatter symbol, and a bonus trigger symbol. The sequencemay repeat or be random.

[0014] In another embodiment, the special symbol successively jumps tovarious other positions within the symbol array, and the player attemptsto touch the symbol when it is in the most advantageous position toobtain the highest win. The machine may also randomly stop the symbol.

[0015] In all embodiments, the changing of the special symbol state orposition may be stopped either randomly by the machine or by the playertouching the symbol using a touch screen. In one embodiment, theshifting occurs so fast that the player's timing of the touching of thescreen is essentially random. When the symbol stops changing, theselected function is then carried out by the machine's microprocessor.

[0016] Other examples of features arising from the display of thespecial symbol are described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 illustrates a gaming machine that may display a game inaccordance with the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of key components in the gaming machineof FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 3 illustrates a video screen displaying a 3×5 array ofsymbols and three pay lines.

[0020] FIGS. 4-11B illustrate the effects on symbols in a pay line whena special symbol occurs along the pay line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Although the invention can typically be implemented by installinga software program in most types of modem video gaming machines, oneparticular gaming machine platform will be described in detail.

[0022]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine 10 thatincorporates the present invention. Machine 10 includes a display 12that may be a thin film transistor (TFT) display, a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), or any other type of display. Asecond display 14 provides game data or other information in addition todisplay 12. Display 14 may provide static information, such as anadvertisement for the game, the rules of the game, pay tables, paylines, or other information, or may even display the game itself alongwith display 12. Alternatively, the area for display 14 may be a displayglass for conveying information about the game.

[0023] A coin slot 22 accepts coins or tokens in one or moredenominations to generate credits within machine 10 for playing games.An input slot 24 for an optical reader and printer receives machinereadable printed tickets and outputs printed tickets for use in cashlessgaming. A bill acceptor 26 accepts various denominations of banknotes.

[0024] A coin tray 32 receives coins or tokens from a hopper upon a winor upon the player cashing out.

[0025] A card reader slot 34 accepts any of various types of cards, suchas smart cards, magnetic strip cards, or other types of cards conveyingmachine readable information. The card reader reads the inserted cardfor player and credit information for cashless gaming. The card readermay also include an optical reader and printer for reading and printingcoded barcodes and other information on a paper ticket.

[0026] A keypad 36 accepts player input, such as a personalidentification number (PIN) or any other player information. A display38 above keypad 36 displays a menu for instructions and otherinformation and provides visual feedback of the keys pressed.

[0027] Player control buttons 40 include any buttons needed for the playof the particular game or games offered by machine 10 including, forexample, a bet button, a repeat bet button, a spin reels button, amaximum bet button, a cash-out button, a display pay lines button, adisplay payout tables button, select icon buttons, and any othersuitable button. Buttons 40 may be replaced by a touch screen withvirtual buttons.

[0028]FIG. 2 illustrates basic circuit blocks in a suitable gamingdevice. A control unit (CPU 42) runs a gaming program stored in aprogram ROM 48. The program ROM 48 may include a pseudo-random numbergenerator program for selecting symbols and for making other randomselections. A coin/credit detector 44 enables the CPU 42 to initiate anext game. A pay table ROM 50 detects the outcome of the game andidentifies awards to be paid to the player. A payout device 46 pays outan award to the player in the form of coins upon termination of the gameor upon the player cashing out. The payout may also be in the form of acoded paper ticket, credits on a smart card or magnetic strip card, orin any other form. A display controller 52 receives commands from theCPU 42 and generates signals for the various displays 54. If a display54 is a touch screen, player commands may be input through the displayscreen into the CPU 42.

[0029] The invention may be carried out on any form of video game thatdetermines an award based upon combinations of symbols across one ormore pay lines. There may be only a single row array of three or moresymbols, an array of 3×3 symbols, an array of 5×3 symbols, or any otherarrangement of symbols. A 5×3 array of symbols will be used as anexample, and such an array is shown in FIG. 3, where each symbolposition 58 is identified with a circle. Any pattern of pay lines (suchas pay line 60) through the array may be utilized, such as straight orzig-zag pay lines. Three pay lines are illustrated in FIG. 3 forsimplicity.

[0030] Standard symbols include fruit symbols and symbols associatedwith the theme of the particular slot machine. The particular icons usedare not important. Typically, a code associated with each possiblesymbol is stored in memory, and a pseudo-random number generator selectsthe symbol to be displayed on the video screen. For amusement, eachvertical column of symbols is scrolled to emulate a motor-driven reel,and each of the virtual reels is typically stopped in sequence after afew seconds to reveal the final 5×3 array of symbols. In the presentinvention, at least one of the possible symbols to be displayed is aspecial symbol that may assume any appearance. For simplicity, thisspecial symbol will be represented by abbreviated words or a symbolwithin a circle.

[0031]FIG. 4 illustrates one horizontal line across the symbol array ofFIG. 3, where it is assumed that three consecutive X symbols startingfrom the leftmost reel generates a certain award for the player. Afterthe initial part of the game, two X symbols 62, 64 are displayed in thefirst and second positions, and a special symbol 66 is displayed in thethird position. The fourth and fifth positions are not relevant to thisdiscussion. The special symbol 66 then visually switches between twostates, such as by flashing or switching between two colors or images,where one of the states results in a winning symbol being displayed inthat third position, and the other of the states not resulting in awinning symbol being displayed. (The two states of special symbol 66 arevisually indicated by an “X” and a dash for simplicity.) The winningsymbol may be a wild card. Hence, when the positive state of the specialsymbol 66 is finally displayed after a period of time (e.g., the specialsymbol 66 stops flashing), the symbol X will appear in the thirdposition, and the player wins the associated award for three X's.

[0032] In one embodiment, a pseudo-random number generator within thegame software or firmware selects which of the two states will be thefinal state of symbol 66. In another embodiment, a touch screen is usedas the main display screen 12, and the player attempts to touch symbol66 at the moment that symbol 66 is at a positive state to stop symbol 66from further changing states.

[0033]FIG. 5 illustrates a single row of symbols, where a special symbol68 appears having one of two states. The states of symbol 68 are rapidlyswitched after all the symbols have been initially displayed. In theexample of FIG. 5, the special symbol 68 switches between a losing state(represented by a dash) and an award multiplication state (representedby 2X). A losing state is considered a state that does not help theplayer. After a period of time, the symbol 68 assumes a final symbolstate. Accordingly, the pay line incorporating the symbol 68 as a 2Xmultiplier causes any award granted in that pay line to be multiplied bytwo. Further, the game may be programmed such that any award generatedin the entire symbol array is multiplied by the special symbolmultiplier. Additionally, the special symbol 68 may act as a wild cardto represent any symbol needed for a win as well as multiplying theaward for the symbol combination incorporating the wild card.

[0034] In other embodiments, the special symbol switches between two ormore states, where none of the states is a losing state and where eachstate provides a different positive feature.

[0035]FIG. 6 illustrates a horizontal row of symbols, where the specialsymbol 70 switches between a wild card and a losing symbol (or any othersymbol), and the final state of symbol 70 is selected as described withrespect to FIG. 4.

[0036] In FIG. 7A, five symbols across a horizontal pay line are shown,where the symbol B is between the X in the second position and a specialsymbol 72. When the special symbol 72 assumes a positive state, afterswitching between two or more states, the position of the special symbolchanges either along the same pay line to the right or to the left,whichever provides the highest win, or to another position in the symbolarray so as to give the player a winning combination of symbols. FIG. 7Billustrates the example where the special symbol 72 has replaced symbolB in order to provide the player an award for three X's. The specialsymbol 72 may change to an X or may be a wild card.

[0037] In a variation of this embodiment, after the special symbol 72has moved positions, the special symbol switches between the two statesand ultimately assumes a final state. The feature provided by the finalstate then takes effect in the symbol's new position. The symbol canthen keep moving around the array automatically until a winningcombination results or the special symbol becomes a losing symbol.

[0038]FIG. 8 illustrates the special symbol 74 as a scatter symbol thatrapidly assumes two or more states. If a scatter symbol 74 occursanywhere in the array, and if the scatter symbol assumes the positivestate after a random selection by the game or a selection by the player,an award is granted. Additional scatter symbols multiply the award.

[0039] As with the other embodiments, any conventional winning symbolcombinations (not containing a special symbol) along activated pay linesalso grant an award to the player.

[0040]FIG. 9 illustrates a special symbol 76 that switches between morethan two states, where the states may include a multiplier state, a wildcard state, a scatter state, a higher value symbol state, a losingstate, or any other feature. Whatever the final state of symbol 76, thatfunction is then performed.

[0041] In FIG. 10, the special symbol 78 includes as one of its states atrigger for an additional feature such as a bonus game. The selection ofthat particular state may also cause the symbol 78 to assume a wild cardsymbol or any other type of positive symbol.

[0042] In FIG. 11A, an initial display along a horizontal row of symbolshas an X symbol in the first symbol position and a special symbol 80 inthe fourth position. The symbols in the other positions along thehorizontal are losing symbols. The existence of the special symbolcauses all symbols to the left of the special symbol to assume the stateof the leftmost symbol, in this case an X symbol, as shown in FIG. 11B.Accordingly, the player now has three X's, which grants an award to theplayer. The special symbol 80 itself may act as a wild card or assumethe state of the leftmost symbol, giving the player an award for fourX's. This same technique can be used to fill symbols along a column, orto change symbols to the right of the special symbol, or fill up theentire row with a particular symbol, such as the highest symbol on thepay line or any other symbol.

[0043] For the special symbols described herein, there are at least twostates that provide different features. The probability of any one stateoccurring may be weighted in the random number generator to change thelikelihood of that state being selected.

[0044] In another embodiment, the existence of the special symbol givesthe player the option of whether to take any award granted in theinitial game or to play again, for free, but forfeiting any award in theinitial game. In one embodiment, the player may get two free games. Thespecial symbol may change states or simply provide the free gamefeature.

[0045] In a variation of that game, the special symbol may be or becomesa first symbol during the initial game and, if the player elects, thespecial symbol becomes another selected symbol. The selection of the newsymbol may be random or preselected by the player. In one embodiment,the player can obtain up to three different symbols, thus providing theplayer three chances to win. If the player elects to cause the specialsymbol to randomly become another symbol by, for example, touching thesymbol on a touch screen, any award from the initial display is thensubstituted by an award, if any, from the subsequent displayincorporating the changed symbol. The symbols can be with or withoutreplacement. “Without replacement” means that, once the special symbolassumes a particular symbol, that particular symbol cannot be againselected for the special symbol. “With replacement” means that theparticular symbol can be again selected for the special symbol.

[0046] In another embodiment, the special symbol appears somewhere onthe screen in the initial display, then disappears, and then appearsagain in another position and so on. The player has to “catch” thesymbol by touching the symbol in the array. During the process, thesymbol may morph into any symbol, including a wild card symbol, ascatter symbol, etc. If the player catches the symbol, the existingstate of the symbol is applied to that particular symbol position. Inone embodiment, the player has the option to not keep that particularsymbol and again try to catch the symbol. This may be performed a numberof times, such as three times. In one embodiment, the gaming machineitself stops the symbol randomly. In the case of the symbol jumping toother positions on the screen, the symbol need not have multiple statesbut may simply be a wild card symbol.

[0047] In another embodiment, the special symbol appearing in the arrayof symbols allows the player to choose one symbol displayed on thescreen and “drag” that symbol to the position where the special symbolis. This may be performed using a touch screen or a cursor. The gamingmachine may be equipped with a trackball, a joystick, or other type ofcontroller. In a variation of that embodiment, the special symbol canassume a particular state, such as a wild card or another symbol, andthe player may choose to move the special symbol to a new position onthe screen to obtain the highest award. The special symbol may have anyof the functions described herein. The movement of the special symbolmay instead be performed automatically and randomly by the gamingmachine. Accordingly, the player will have two chances to win in asingle game.

[0048] Any combination of features of the special symbols describedherein may be made. The available features of a special symbol maychange from game to game.

[0049] While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenshown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatchanges and modifications may be made without departing from thisinvention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims areto encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications asfall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method performed by a gaming device comprising:displaying an array of symbols on a display screen, certain combinationsof symbols along pay lines providing an award for a player, at least oneof the symbols displayed being a special symbol; changing states of thespecial symbol, each state being associated with a different function tobe performed by the special symbol; stopping the changing of states ofthe special symbol to achieve a stopped state; and performing thefunction associated with the stopped state of the special symbol.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein stopping the changing of states of the specialsymbol comprises the gaming device randomly selecting one of the statesof the special symbol.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein stopping thechanging of states of the special symbol comprises the player actuatinga control element to stop the changing of states.
 4. The method of claim1 wherein the function associated with the stopped state of the specialsymbol causes at least one other symbol in the array of symbols tochange.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the function associated withthe stopped state of the special symbol is that of a wild card.
 6. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the function associated with the stopped stateof the special symbol is to multiply an award to the player.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the function associated with the stopped stateof the special symbol is to change symbols in a pay line to matchanother symbol in the pay line.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein thefunction associated with the stopped state of the special symbol is tochange symbols in a pay line to be of a certain symbol.
 9. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the function associated with the stopped state of thespecial symbol is a trigger for an additional feature.
 10. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the function associated with the stopped state of thespecial symbol initiates a bonus game.
 11. The method of claim 1 whereinthe function associated with the stopped state of the special symbolcauses an award to be granted to the player.
 12. The method of claim 1wherein the function associated with the stopped state of the specialsymbol allows the special symbol to be moved to one or more otherpositions in the array.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the gamingdevice allows the player to move the special symbol to another positionin the array.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein the gaming devicerandomly moves the special symbol to another position in the array. 15.The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the states of the specialsymbol provides no additional benefit to the player.
 16. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the states of the special symbol comprise only twostates.
 17. The method of claim 1 wherein changing states of the specialsymbol comprises changing colors of the special symbol.
 18. The methodof claim 1 wherein changing states of the special symbol comprisingflashing the special symbol between states.
 19. The method of claim 1wherein the states of the special symbol comprise one or more of thestates including a multiplier state, a wild card state, a scatter state,a higher value symbol state, and a no-benefit state.
 20. The method ofclaim 1 wherein there are three or more states of the special symbol.21. A method performed by a gaming device comprising: displaying anarray of symbols on a display screen in an initial game, certaincombinations of symbols along pay lines providing an award to a player,at least one of the symbols displayed being a special symbol; and as areward for obtaining the special symbol, providing the player the optionof whether to take an award granted in the initial game or play againfor free but forfeit any award in the initial game.
 22. The method ofclaim 21 further comprising changing the function of the special symbolin any additional game.
 23. The method of claim 21 wherein the specialsymbol becomes another symbol randomly selected.
 24. The method of claim21 wherein the special symbol becomes a symbol selected by the player.25. A method performed by a gaming device comprising: displaying anarray of symbols on a display screen in a game, certain combinations ofsymbols along pay lines providing an award for a player, at least one ofthe symbols displayed being a special symbol; changing a position of thespecial symbol in the array one or more times to provide the playeradditional opportunities to win; and performing a function associatedwith the special symbol.
 26. The method of claim 25 further comprisingallowing the player to attempt to touch the special symbol in the array,using a touch screen, as the special symbol changes position, wherein,if the player touches the special symbol, the special symbol remains inthat position and performs the function.
 27. The method of claim 25wherein the function changes depending on certain factors.
 28. Themethod of claim 27 wherein the factors comprise a random selection ofthe function of the special symbol by the gaming machine.
 29. The methodof claim 25 wherein the function is dependent upon a changing state ofthe special symbol at the time that the player touches the specialsymbol in the array on the touch screen.
 30. The method of claim 25further comprising providing the player an election to again allow thespecial symbol to change positions in an attempt to increase any awardto the player.
 31. The method of claim 25 wherein changing a position ofthe special symbol in the array comprises the gaming deviceautomatically moving the special symbol, the method further comprisingrandomly stopping the symbol from moving by the gaming device.
 32. Themethod of claim 25 wherein changing a position of the special symbol inthe array comprises the gaming device allowing the player to move thespecial symbol to any other position in the array using a controldevice.
 33. The method of claim 32 wherein the control device is a touchscreen.
 34. The method of claim 25 wherein the special symbol provides awild card function.